Campbell’s Mmm mmm salt.

We couldn't resist sharing this new meme "Campbell's Mmm mmm salt" that's been going around social media, created by George Takei of Star Trek fame.

George nailed it! Most Campbell's soups are in fact full of "mmm mmm salt," which make them "mmm mmm good" for increasing our risk of getting sick and dying prematurely.

An overwhelming body of research has found that a high-salt diet leads to high blood pressure, which leads to kidney failure, strokes, heart attacks, dementia, and other maiming, life-threatening woes.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American consumes about 3,500 milligrams of sodium every day, more than twice the upper limit of 1,500 milligrams recommended by leading health groups like the Institute of Medicine and American Heart Association.

That’s right, we’re supposed to be consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium a day. But guess how much sodium is in one typical can of Campbell’s soup? About 1,400 to 1,800 milligrams.

So with just one can of Campbell’s soup, we’re often using up our total daily allotment for sodium. Mmm mmm good? Not even close if we want good arteries, good blood pressure, and good health.

Even Campbell’s “Healthy Request” soups are packed with sodium. Most cans tally up more than 800 milligrams of sodium. That’s more than half the amount of sodium we should be eating for the entire day. If our “request” is stiff arteries, these soups will do the job.

When shopping for soups, don’t trust claims like “Reduced Sodium” on the front of the can or box. Always turn the product around and check the “Nutrition Facts” label. Optimally, look for soups in which the amount of sodium in milligrams does not exceed the amount of calories, per serving.

Eugenia Killoran

Senior Editor & Writer

Eugenia Killoran has been the food and fitness journalist for the Pritikin Program since 1992. She has published more than 3,000 articles, lectures, and book chapters on a wide variety of healthy living and weight-loss topics.

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